Which Next-Gen Console Will Be Best For Role-Playing Fans?

Back in the original PlayStation days, this was a stupid question. Of course the PS2 would be the best system for role-playing fans. I mean...duh.

And of course, that turned out to be true. It could also be argued that the PS3 is the best current platform for RPG fanatics, but that only seems to ring true for fans of the niche JRPG sub-genre. Most big-name RPG titles are multiplatform these days, anyway, right?

But looking forward to the next generation, which of the three consoles will be best for those who claim to be die-hard fans of the role-playing game? If so many of them are multiplatform, maybe you just want the the console that does multiplatform projects best; at the start of this generation, that was the Xbox 360. On the other hand, if you're a big JRPG fanatic, you probably can't count on Microsoft's new console to assist; they tried Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon (partly to see if they could gain some traction in Japan) and that just didn't work.

Then there's the Wii U, which I suppose you could count as a "next-gen console." Maybe that will have some RPGs...although perhaps not the more mature RPGs some fans want, like The Elder Scrolls or Fallout or something. Still, it might become a haven for companies like Gust or Level-5, depending on what they think of the PS4. Lastly, maybe we should consider the Vita. The PSP was great for RPG fans - especially the old-school dudes - and although the new handheld seems to be headed in a different direction (bite-size versions of huge-budget projects), it could still happen. RPGs could end up being big on the Vita.

What say you?

Tags: role playing games, rpgs, next gen, next generation, next gen consoles

12/5/2012 12:03:55 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (43 posts)

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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 12:21:42 AM
Reply

I say PS4, even if things continue on the way they've been going at least we can beg for some JRPG scraps.

If they start going hard for Nintendo I'm gonna have a problem.

2 up, 1 down

Ultimadream
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 3:51:27 AM

Same, While I loved The Last Story, I couldn't help but feel it was limited to the Wii system. The graphics were lower than the average PS2 game and the maps did feel a little limited at times. But it still beat Final Fantasy XIII-2 this year in my eye.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 12:34:01 PM

TLS has a solid story and characters and it innovates buuuuut yeah it feels limited on too many levels on Wii, almost like a beginners RPG. It could have been amazing on PS3.

0 up, 0 down

firesoul453
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 12:23:01 AM
Reply

I really doubt the next xbox will beat the the ps4 in RPGs, especially JRPGs.

But I personally like pc for rpgs (and I am not personally a huge "connoisseur" of JRPGs)
There are actually quite a few lower budget indie rpgs I love; and, like you said, most (non JRPGs atleast) are multiplatform.

3 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 1:13:05 AM
Reply

I'm thinking jrpgs will have a stronger Nintendo presence going forward. Lower cost production of Wii software plus being a platform embraced by the Japanese compared to Xbox it just seems like a natural fit. Besides, anime stories and likenesses just seem like a more Nintendo-centric appeal anyway to me.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 1:14:47 AM

Oh, apparently the last story exceeded expectations and is getting a second print run to meet the demand.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 1:18:49 AM

But I do think ps4 will have its share of jrpgs. I just see genre fans needing both consoles to play the full spectrum.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 12:35:11 PM

Let's hope not, but since WiiU will have the lesser technology I see how it might be where they land.

Disagree that Anime has anything to do with the kidsy appeal of Ninty.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 2:33:17 PM

I dunno. The more vibrant, youthful colors, and body proportions suggest to me a stronger appeal with youngans.

Having played several Squaresoft RPG's from PSX on PSP within a relatively recent span of time, I definetly get a more teenage, younger audience appeal from them now that I'm an older adult. Whether it's FFVII with it's anime proportions and story, or the sort of stuff from Chrono Cross, Xenogears, and others. This includes other company offerings like the massively Japanese popular Dragon Quest franchise that is now a Nintendo home base franchise, isn't it? Seeing the positive response from The Last Story, once again anime likenesses, and Xenoblade there seems to be a more approachable audience with the Nintendo crowd as there seems to be more successes rather than failures on their handhelds and consoles.

I'm not saying adults can't enjoy this anime-centric stuff because I do. But I think readily, the more anime vibe of eastern design will sooner attract the younger before the older as time draws on.

Wouldn't it be great to have an RPG with the same linear game play design of jRPG greats but with the look and feel and intended audiences as the Assassin's Creed, Dishonored, and Elder Scrolls franchises? Franchises that immediately appeal to older players. That just seems like the sort of jRPG that would make a killing on PS3 or PS4.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 2:59:20 PM

Temjin, what you just described could be considered a description of White Knight Chronicles - and look at the savaging that took in the reviews...

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 3:23:17 PM

Wow, WCK actually screams Japanese stylization in visual presentation to me.I haven't played the game so I don't have too strong an opinion there, Highlander. But the vibe I feel from seeing it is very anime/eastern/japanese in appeal.

What I basically mean is some studio with the artists and story writers from westerner orientation needs to try and attack jRPG style game play. I know this is probably a sickening thought to those who hate westernization of anything, but I think there needs to be a revitalization of that form of play. It may create more demand and awareness of a genre that is waining considerably. Much like this defunct Streets of Rage reboot.

2 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 3:36:50 PM

btw, Im not trying to be a poop face. I think Ni ni Ku is freaking awesome. I just think there would be more successes on PS if there were more efforts to expand the genre offering.
I can't think of a single western RPG that doesn't have dialogue trees and decisions as part of it's game design.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 5:37:36 PM

I disagree with you on your assessment. There are influences, but WKC is hardly the typical anime style game, the graphics and presentation are far more western inspired than something like Ni no Kuni or the tales games.

As for "some studio with the artists and story writers from westerner orientation needs to try and attack jRPG style game play."

It's not simply a sickening thought, it's the outright death of a genre. Honestly, I'm shocked that you even thought it worth saying.

You can't "create more demand and awareness of a genre that is waining considerably. " by taking the genre in question and altering the game art design and story at the fundamental level. All you can do is redefine the game into another genre, which is what has been happening all generation long. No offense to you, or anyone else, but it's precisely this kind of thinking that encourages publishers to create lack luster half hearted attempts at a JRPG game and almost perfectly illustrates the thought process of SE. Westernizing a non-western game genre will not save it, it will redefine it out of existence.

To finish my thought, in all honestly this kind of discussion makes me so discouraged about the future of gaming for me that I almost feel like quitting all together. I'm sure someone will call me a dinosaur, or tell me I should be more flexible. I'm sorry, but I won't and can't be more flexible. I don't see any reason to, I don't see why I should pretend to like a game that claims to be something it's not just so people can say things have progressed.

Last edited by Highlander on 12/5/2012 5:44:30 PM

2 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 9:52:15 PM

I don't think you understand my point. I'm not saying anything should be done to westernize the game play of Jrpg design. I do think the genre would be much more successful stateside if developers told a story and was presented more localized to westerners.

Btw, wkc is less kiddish in art stylization than some more anime looking games but nonetheless it's absolutely Japanese in art assets.

While I know already you don't like this idea I would be up for it. AC3 makes it very clear that linear story design can be done real well by westerners. AC3 practically feels like an rpg to me in this sense, and in others, and it has nothing to do with character building or stat tracking.
It takes its time to establish characters, environments, towns and many abilities with a tight narrative focus. It isn't hard for me to imagine a game much like it with the action tossed out and classic Jrpg design placed in and voila, just the game I'm sure would make some go crazy for.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 12/5/2012 9:53:51 PM

1 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 12:05:15 AM

and now that I'm in front of a computer I have more time to elaborate on things.

I don't want to change the classic jRPG. Not at all. So erase any notion of changing what once was with what it needs to be. I think jRPG's are jRPG's because of everything they are, cultural quirks, anime likenesses and all. I don't think they have any future at a AAA level, like most of Japanese games, going forward on Sony's and MS's platforms.

There is something about the jRPG that defined their existence that is a rarer find today. So to break the sub-genre down to a more granular level there are certain qualities that have defined their entertainment that other games don't do. It's these certain qualities I want to see more of in western design.

I mentioned Assassin's Creed 3 because it captures a glimpse of these qualities.
First, jRPG's are epic. They are in no hurry to do pretty much anything. FFVII, a game we've all played, opens by establishing the atmosphere and environment with a panning fly through of Midgar. This brings to life the world and it's inhabitants, including key characters. AC3 does a similar thing. It takes it's time to establish everything through a tight narrative that brings to life it's world. It's in no rush to plop you into an open world and let you have at it, much like AC: Revelations had. It slowly prepares it's story and characters, establishes the environment and inhabitants. It's creating a distinct feel and strong narrative direction. jRPG's do this. Slowly AC3 opens up and introduces more and more of the world, it's locations and towns, more characters, more abilities, and many, many more elements to define it's epic breadth. The first 6-8 hours feel quite constrained, similarly to FFVII and Midgar. The more time a player invests the more the plot thickens, the more important key characters become and the more huge and massive the game feels.

I want to see western development do RPG's more like this. Instead, many of them are told from a singular, first person perspective and the story serves as an outer shell to hold the flexible workings of it's inside. Games like Mass Effect come close to being an RPG with a strong narrative direction, and it is, but ultimately they deal with a whole element of relationship building and pseudo crafting your story and adventure, that is loosens it's narrative design. Playing ME rarely feels like reading a novel.
I would like to see Bethseda, Bioware, or Ubisoft, or anyone else so willing, try to tackle an epic, huge game, that feels like it's paced and designed with no rush to get the action on, with no rush to create "set piece moments" but to do some of those things that have defined some of the jRPG greats. That's all.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 6:45:08 AM

I'm playing the story mode of WKC right now and I agree with Temjin. There are a few Western influences, but the vibe feels totally Japanese to me. Whimsical and cute, for want of a better word...which is refreshing.

LOTR The Third Age is 100% a JRPG made by Westerners, with a Western feel (can't get more Western RPG than Tolkein), if you're interested, Sensei. I'm not saying it's particularly good, mind you.

0 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 10:41:52 PM

Thanks Fane. I'll make it a point to check that out.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 1:32:33 AM
Reply

I foresee over time, the Vita taking over where the PSP's has finally left off.

3 up, 1 down

Beamboom
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 2:01:23 AM
Reply

Well, the X360 also has one of the critically most acclaimed RPGs in recent years; The Witcher 2 (plus the first), not to mention they've had the first Mass Effect all by themselves up until now.

And seeing how all the other RPGs I've enjoyed this gen has all been multiplats plus the mess that was Skyrim on the ps3 I guess I have to be an adult and admit defeat: The X360 has had the upper hand when it comes to RPGs. I have to give'em that.

Next gen however, I feel completely safe that the PS4, with the change of architecture and thus more accessible for developers, will both have the multiplats running smooth from the first year onwards, and we will see more games from the PC-focused developers (like CD Projekt, the makers of The Witcher).

So I am getting the PS4 with no fear whatsoever of missing out on much come next gen.

Last edited by Beamboom on 12/5/2012 2:02:57 AM

4 up, 5 down

Beamboom
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 4:59:54 AM

Whaaat? Are the thumbs regarding my view of the past, or the future? Cause really, regarding the past I am only stating the facts here.

And when it comes to the upcoming gen, well I really do not think the x720 will have many RPGs exclusive to their platform. I really don't.

0 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 9:34:25 AM

Witcher 2 does look pretty epic. I passed on the $7 Steam deal because I'm already drowning in RPGs to play.

0 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 11:09:36 AM

I bought both on Steam, but I've just started playing the first. it's real weird to play a RPG with a mouse again. Man it's been many years.

But I like it, and according to the metascore the second is even better. There's nothing better than RPGs on dark winter nights. :)

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 3:49:36 AM
Reply

Well the main reason I bought a Playstation 3 was because Final Fantasy XIII was announced as an exclusive - of course that turned out to be a pack of lies and I felt cheated. I look at my PS3 collection and I have to say it really does not represent the games I like, when I look at my PS2 and PS1 collection it looks far more accurate.

Overall the 360 did get more RPG's They got Lost Odyssey, the Last Remnant, Star Ocean 4 a year before we did & Infinite Discovery. Mind you other than Lost Odyssey I have heard these are meant to be poor games. But the PS3 doesn't have any exclusive RPG's which aren't infested with too much anime. Even the Wii had a better selection of RPG's at the end with The Last Story, Pandora's Tower (Certainly had the JRPG feel) & Xenogears.

So it really is hard to tell where to go next gen as a JRPG fan.

1 up, 0 down

Knightzane
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 4:14:03 AM
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Sony will step up and give us what we want next gen. Their not the type to say "Oh F you we want moar FPS goodness" Sure they've gone down that road but i promise killzone and resistance are not the FPS games you would think they are. Their special and different and thats what i love about sony and have always loved. They dont mind being the weird ones

1 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 4:28:18 AM
Reply

ahhhhh, the vitas not a console its a handheld.
anyway, if the rumors are true of the next xbox being 2-3 times more powerful than the ps4, than id definitely be the one to go for.
especially for games like skyrim, they will use all the juice possible to make the open world even more beautiful!
especially with the games already exclusive to the system, especially the witcher 2 still cant believe how they got that running on the 360 its jaw dropping!
cant wait to see what their new game cyberpunked looks like!

ignoring the rule though, PC will always be king!
especially now were starting to see a much stronger uprising of larger indie developers and titles like kingdoms of amarock.
indie developers are the only ones really bringing back the old school dungeon crawler, and there always exclusively on PC so thats really going to draw people to it.
not to mention the new greenlight program, kickstarter, theres a whole new way for indie developers and people who are not EA to get their games published and to the masses only on PC!
than the explosion of mods weve seen, things like day z and the newer war z, or the mod remake of the best game ever made HL in black messa.
simply put its allot easier to get your games to the masses, and indie developers are always the ones doing the unique innovative risky genres.

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 6:52:33 AM

"ahhhhh, the vitas not a console its a handheld."

"Maybe the platform that's best for RPGs going forward isn't a console..." (from the link to this article)

0 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 5:15:22 AM
Reply

I don't count PC or handhelds in to it because they are not "consoles", and I definitely don't count the WiiU as a next gen console either. So that leaves only the X720 and PS4 and honestly I don't see Microsoft wanting to push for the RPG market simply because Asia just does't seem to want accept them into the fold(which is fine by me, I don't either). So using that I can only choose the PS4 and I feel that is a pretty safe bet anyways.

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 7:03:24 AM

M$ will again try to buy their way into the Japanese market by c***-blocking Sony's access to JRPGs. It will probably fail again, but bank on it.

I think Nintendo's plan to continue releasing out-of-date tech will play right into the Japanese developers' reluctance to increase the size of their teams and the JRPGs will once again flock to their systems.

0 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 7:02:37 PM

That's the thing though even if Microsoft tries it is almost certainly going to be a failure, and the best part is it isn't their fault it really is the consumers fault.

I definitely understand what you're saying about Nintendo and for the most part I agree, I just don't consider them next gen and won't include them in a conversation such as this. They will no doubt have plenty of jRPGs on their systems.

0 up, 0 down

Huey
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 6:06:08 AM
Reply

Help me out here. why is it that some developers can make the ps3 walk the walk and others can't? Is it because the ps3 is harder to program for or does it come to a lack of skills or interest?

2 up, 0 down

SirLoin of Beef
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 8:50:48 AM

It's because MS pays those companies to screw up the game!!!

2 up, 4 down

dbyzforce
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 9:05:14 AM

I would say a combo of both PLUS what SirLoin of Beef said....

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 11:23:42 AM

It's because of the architecture, Huey. It's a bit exotic compared to the much more common architecture found in Xbox and PCs.
What's "hard" depends on your experience. We all find what we know more easy to work with than what we don't know, and that also goes for developers.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 8:54:44 AM
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I think the PS4 will reign supreme with all types of RPGs. I am hoping Sony cooks up an incredible RPG that is exclusive to the PS4. All next gen consoles will no doubt have their multiplatform RPGs. It's the exclusive RPGs that will separate the next gen consoles and declare a victor.

The Vita will have it's day in the sun. Soul Sacrifice is waiting in the wings and I am enjoying Ragnarok Odyssey as well.

Last edited by CrusaderForever on 12/5/2012 8:56:35 AM

2 up, 0 down

Wrote
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 9:00:10 AM
Reply

My money is on the wii u and ps4, m$ will probably only get multuplats, while there will be exclusives for the other 2. Monolith soft, the folks behind the amazing xenoblade chronicles(best jrpg this gen so far) have already confirmed an untitled wii u project. It should be amazing since they only make good RPGs, and just think of the potential with the wii u gamepad. You could have the option of no HUD with battles and menus on the controller.

Don't get me wrong I think we could get amazing ps4 RPGs, but it seems Sony has given up making their own first party ones. But 3rd parties will likely put their games on sonys machine before the Xbox cuz Playstation fans will actually buy it..

Here's hoping Sony has a great new RPG series, think of the possibilities! Hell they could make an off the charts ps3 RPG with many of their internal studios.

~Wrote

Last edited by Wrote on 12/5/2012 9:03:58 AM

0 up, 0 down

dbyzforce
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 9:03:50 AM

I personally wanted to see a Kingdom Hearts like JRPG game with PlayStation characters instead of a Smash Bros type game we got...

0 up, 0 down

ethird1
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 3:01:44 PM
Reply

Why won't SquareEnix release all the Dragon Quest games for Sony's consoles? They are putting a new version of DQ 7 ( A PS1 exclusive) on the 3DS!

The best RPG system out right now, imo, is the Vita.

As far as next gen goes ..... gonna have to go with Nintendo's system early on. They will have Dragon Quest games ( the online one included), one of the best strategy game series known as Fire Emblem, Zelda(well actually that is action), and whatever else they get.

Maybe later in the cycle Sony will come back and take the lead. But Final Fantasy no longer sticks with me and I dont know what the future holds as far as rpgs go for Sony.

End of Line.

Last edited by ethird1 on 12/5/2012 3:02:06 PM

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 8:09:07 PM
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For the sake of getting a good jrpg, I say all systems or Sony should step up that genre with in house development.

MS ruined this past gen with buying up exclusive games only Sony fans wanted. I know that's old news but things haven't been the same since.

1 up, 0 down

Coffeya
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 8:26:40 PM
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It is most likely going to be the 3ds or wii u. If vita picks up speed then it might be in the mix.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, December 05, 2012 @ 10:22:57 PM

It'll need to go to Vita, 3DS is getting little more than DSi games with a veneer of 3DS capability. Vita on the other hand can have full console games - for example Atelier Totori is coming to Vita with an enhanced version of the successful PS3 JRPG.

0 up, 0 down

Coffeya
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 11:03:49 PM

once again, that is if vita picks up

0 up, 0 down

Crabba
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 6:17:12 AM
Reply

Not a console per se, but PC will always be the No 1 platform for RPG's. It has tons of exclusives both new and historically like the Baldur's Gate series (and Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment, etc), Diablo series, The Witcher 1&2, and countless others. Also the multiplatform RPG titles are always best on PC, including ALL the Elder Scrolls titles (it didn't start with Oblivion you know...) and ofcourse all the MMORPG's like WoW & LOTRO...

I love the PS3, but when I wanna play an RPG I get it on PC... (just don't get Windows 8, you have been warned :-/)

1 up, 0 down

JoebooSauce
Thursday, December 06, 2012 @ 2:15:37 PM
Reply

Have to wait and see the new consoles unveiled. I'm willing to say the Wii U is already down and out for the count. I don't consider that "next-gen." It's same gen as far as I'm concerned. OK, maybe next-gen.1 or even a .2. That's about it.

Have to mention Demon's Souls is one of the best RPGs and even game of this gen.

0 up, 0 down

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